Notebook Computer System with Dual Integrated Displays and Method

Abstract

A second display is integrated into a notebook computer system. The second display is mounted with the primary display and arranged for movement to various working positions which facilitate use with a second viewer or with programs which spread displays over two displays for clarity or working jointly with two programs such as a graphics program and a word processing program.

1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a clamshell housing having hinged together upper and lower bodies;   a keyboard housed in one of said bodies;   a primary display housed in the other of said bodies and so disposed that said keyboard and said primary display face one another as said housing is closed; and   a secondary display coupled to said other body for pivotal movement about orthogonal axes between a stowed position folded against said primary display and first and second working positions unfolded from said primary display;   one of said first and second working positions orienting said secondary display to face oppositely from said primary display and the other of said working positions orienting said secondary display to face in the same direction as said primary display.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one of said orthogonal axes is parallel to a side edge of said primary display. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one of said orthogonal axes is perpendicular to a side edge of said primary display. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one of said orthogonal axes is parallel to the axis of the hinge about which said bodies are hinged together. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a plane defined by one of said orthogonal axes and the axis of the hinge about which said bodies are hinged together passes through said primary display. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said secondary display comprises a secondary display housing providing a rigid protective backing for said secondary display and further wherein the articulation of said primary and secondary displays is such that the secondary display housing is disposed externally of the apparatus when said secondary display is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said secondary display comprises a display screen and a secondary display housing providing a rigid protective backing for said secondary display and further wherein the articulation of said primary and secondary displays is such that said display screen of said secondary display is disposed externally of the apparatus when said secondary display is in the stowed position. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said secondary display is a touchscreen enabled display and further wherein the stowed position defines a third working position. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising data handling system components housed within said one of said bodies and coupled to said primary and secondary displays to supply data driving displays thereon, said components driving the same display to both of said primary and secondary displays. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising data handling system components housed within said one of said bodies and coupled to said primary and secondary displays to supply data driving displays thereon, said components driving differing displays to each of said primary and secondary displays. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus comprising:
 a clamshell housing having hinged together upper and lower bodies;   data handling system components including a keyboard housed in said lower body;   a primary display housed in said upper body and so disposed that said keyboard and said primary display face one another as said housing is closed;   a hinge structure mounted on a lateral side edge of said primary display and defining orthogonal axes for rotation, one of said orthogonal axes defining with the axis of the hinged connection of said upper and lower bodies a plane parallel to said primary display;   a secondary display coupled to said hinge structure and said upper body for pivotal movement about said orthogonal axes between a stowed position folded against said primary display and first and second working positions unfolded from said primary display;   one of said first and second working positions orienting said secondary display to face oppositely from said primary display and the other of said working positions orienting said secondary display to face in the same direction as said primary display.   
   
   
       12 . Apparatus comprising:
 a clamshell housing having hinged together upper and lower bodies;   data handling system components including a keyboard housed in said lower body;   a primary display housed in said upper body and so disposed that said keyboard and said primary display face one another as said housing is closed;   a hinge structure mounted on a lateral side edge of said primary display and defining orthogonal axes for rotation, each of said orthogonal axes defining with the axis of the hinged connection of said upper and lower bodies a plane parallel to said primary display;   a secondary display coupled to said hinge structure and said upper body for pivotal movement about said orthogonal axes between a stowed position folded against said primary display and first and second working positions unfolded from said primary display;   one of said first and second working positions orienting said secondary display to face oppositely from said primary display and the other of said working positions orienting said secondary display to face in the same direction as said primary display.   
   
   
       13 . Method comprising;
 structuring a hinge to define orthogonal axes for rotation; and   mounting a secondary display on a side edge of a primary display of a notebook computer system with the hinge structure for pivotal movement of the secondary display among a stowed position and first and second working positions;
 the stowed position disposing the second display against the exterior surface of the primary display; 
 the first working position disposing the second display to one side of the primary display and facing in the same direction for viewing; and 
 the second working position disposing the second display facing in the opposite direction of the primary display for viewing. 
   
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 13  wherein the second display is provided with touch screen capability and further wherein the second display when in the stowed position disposes the touch screen surface of the second display for viewing and touch access.